The recently-opened, state-run COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Bryce Jordan Center will resume operations on Thursday with the Moderna vaccine, according to an email sent on Wednesday to patients who are registered for appointments.
Unlike the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Moderna’s vaccine requires two doses spaced four weeks apart. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, which operates the regional vaccination clinic at the BJC in conjunction with the Department of Health, said it will automatically schedule patients for a second dose once they receive their first.
Previously, the site had administered only the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. PEMA said the clinic will use Moderna doses until further notice.
“The pause on the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines required us to quickly pivot our planning in order to continue moving forward with appointments that are currently scheduled,” PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “We’ll continue to work with our partners at DOH, the PA National Guard and AMI Expeditionary Healthcare, LLC in order to meet the demand for vaccinations at this site.”
Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration, Pennsylvania paused use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Tuesday until at least April 20. Out of the nearly 7 million Americans who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, six women between the ages of 18 and 48 reportedly experienced “rare and severe” blood clots within two weeks of receiving the shot. Preliminary information indicated none were from Pennsylvania, where 262,739 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered.
The federal agencies recommended “out of an abundance of caution” that providers pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while the six cases are reviewed.
“This is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot,” a joint statement from the CDC and FDA said.
The BJC’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic opened on Friday, with enough capacity to administer 600 Johnson & Johnson shots per day. At this time, its capacity for Moderna vaccines remains unclear.
The BJC’s site offers appointments Thursday through Monday each week. Registration for appointments at the clinic is available at pema.trackmyvaccine.com or by calling 1-844-545-3450.
All Pennsylvania adults, including Penn State students, are now eligible to book appointments.
